Traffic cones, concrete barriers, one lane traffic are common scenes on US 77 on the west side of Junction City. Improvements are under way from Interstate 70 north to near K-57 through the state’s T-Works program.

Mayor Mick McCallister told a Military Affairs Council meeting this week that the construction work will continue for a long time, and be almost impossible to avoid. “They’re working on the diverging diamond ( intersection at US 77 and I-70 ). Shortly the bids will be let, if they’re not already let, on the diamond interchange at K-18. The new sewer interchange that’s going underneath that before they can put that in, so there is going to be a lot of construction going on for a long time.”

McCallister noted a big concern is with McFarland Road being closed at US 77 to mid-to-late May to allow for widening of both sides of 77, and turning lanes on McFarland Road. The mayor noted that has hurt some of the businesses in that area.

There have been some efforts to improve traffic signage in that area.

A future project after the McFarland Road intersection is complete will be the intersection at Ash Street and US 77.   Patience will be a key for motorists until the improvements are completed.